Who are our leaders

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

We don't have to do quite that much. Everything revolves around the midfield. All our eggs need to be in that basket. So, trade out Moloney, Sylvia and Jamar. Use any NQRs if wanted. Target one established mid with a bit of age and character. Get the rest of the draft aimed at mids. All we need is one gun. They are hard to find, but I'm convinced that is all we need. See if GCS would part with one of their youngsters for player +.

Nope, i used to think that way but not after today.

[timD 994]

Nope, i used to think that way but not after today.

I didn't see that game - don't have foxtel. However, if we are winning the ball and moving it, we'll be better. Don't forget richmond were woeful until they found a midfield.

[Matt Demon 1,571]

It's simple. None of our senior players have an once of leadership therefore none of young guys have anybody to look up to. All they have is a bunch of guys to pick up bad habits from.

[jimcor 212]

It's simple. None of our senior players have an once of leadership therefore none of young guys have anybody to look up to. All they have is a bunch of guys to pick up bad habits from.

Almost agree. Is Jones a senior player yet? Jamar was once again found wanting and I'm also beginning to think that his ruck work isn't up to scratch because so many of his taps go to the opposition. Isn't a class ruck man supposed to feed his crumbers? I still think Garland, Frawley & Rivers deliver but are not yet inspirational. That's one of the things that we seem to be lacking, players that are inspirational.

[jimcor 212]

A number of posters are calling for the dropping/execution of all of the non-performing senior players but that's just not possible. Does anyone really think that a less- experienced playing group will do better? The challenge,as I see it, is to convert under- performers to better performers. That challenge rests with the coaching group primarily.

I don't think it's unreasonable for supporters, who have been waiting for success for so long, to be a little impatient. I hope and expect to continue to see week-on-week improvement and am disappointed when it doesn't happen - like last night. However, I also think that we need to hang tough because I believe that, as the players develop, the plan has a better chance of bringing sustained success than Bailey's. Fingers crossed.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

A number of posters are calling for the dropping/execution of all of the non-performing senior players but that's just not possible. Does anyone really think that a less- experienced playing group will do better? The challenge,as I see it, is to convert under- performers to better performers. That challenge rests with the coaching group primarily.

I don't think it's unreasonable for supporters, who have been waiting for success for so long, to be a little impatient. I hope and expect to continue to see week-on-week improvement and am disappointed when it doesn't happen - like last night. However, I also think that we need to hang tough because I believe that, as the players develop, the plan has a better chance of bringing sustained success than Bailey's. Fingers crossed.

Ofcourse the younger players wont be better witht he experienced players out of the side but at laest they will get some game time. But I think bringing in other experienced heads - maybe from the VFL (Magner has done well) or maybe from other teams might work. Look what GWS have done with hungry older players retired perhaps one season to early.

None of this is about form, its all about heart and effort. It is clear that our older players arent just out of form. Some are getting some of the lowest stats of their careers. Its about making a statement that might hurt now but that might set the base for a new culture at the club where mediocrity isnt accepted.

its also about appealing to potential players from other sides who we might target. Do they want to come to a club where soft performances week after week are accepted? Where the players can slack off and know they will still get a game? Or do they want to come to a side full of youngsters just being blooded who need the guiding hand of an experienced player?

[jimcor 212]

Ofcourse the younger players wont be better witht he experienced players out of the side but at laest they will get some game time. But I think bringing in other experienced heads - maybe from the VFL (Magner has done well) or maybe from other teams might work. Look what GWS have done with hungry older players retired perhaps one season to early.

None of this is about form, its all about heart and effort. It is clear that our older players arent just out of form. Some are getting some of the lowest stats of their careers. Its about making a statement that might hurt now but that might set the base for a new culture at the club where mediocrity isnt accepted.

its also about appealing to potential players from other sides who we might target. Do they want to come to a club where soft performances week after week are accepted? Where the players can slack off and know they will still get a game? Or do they want to come to a side full of youngsters just being blooded who need the guiding hand of an experienced player?

That game-time argument was run from 2008-2011 and this is where we've arrived at - a culture that is not surprised or disheartened by abject failure. I think we have a greater need for leadership than ever before. Moloney has demonstrated none since his return and his contribution is woeful. Wrong perhaps to single him out but as the person who it's said of that he bleeds red & blue, I'd like to see it demonstrated on the field. I think we got Clark because he thought we (Neeld) had a future but if we fail to create leaders, we'll have trouble attracting anyone decent - even with $1m a season.

BTW just re-watched the last two quarters and those who have criticized Jack Watt's performance either were watching a different game or were looking at it from a totally different mindset. I thought, if anything, he stood up and set a great example along with Blease.